This psalm makes me sound too holy, Lord, certainly holier than I think I am.But the image of the deer drinking from the pond - that's me!I search for something deep within, Lord, I thirst for what I really want from youbut even when I find it - I only take a sip...Afraid to drink too deeply, I moisten my lips and take a cautious sip, careful not to gulp too much lest I get drunk on you, lest you intoxicate my soul and I lose myself in waters deep, over my head my feet not touching bottom - lost in you...As the deer longs for running streams so my soul longs for you, O God,but the waters of your grace run deep and sometimes dark

and even if I swim in faith I fear I'd lose myself in you,

that I'd be gone, no trace of me to find - and only you'd remain...

And yet I know how pure your waters flow, refreshing all the life that's mine in you, sustaining what you've given me and quenching every thirst that I might have for mercy, peace, for joy and truth, for knowing - I am loved...

You bid me drink and slake my thirst for you, to have no fear that any harm would come my way from downing the sweet waters you supply, from quaffing the deep cup of life you offer - and fill and fill again... As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.My being thirsts for God, the living God.When can I go and see the face of God?

In your waters I'll not drown, Lord: I'll findthe clear reflection of your face, of you the living God whom my heart seeks, for whom my soul is thirsty - you alone will give me peace...

Lead me to your waters, Lord, that I might drink, not sip, but deeply drink and taste your sweet refreshment on my lipsand in my mouth until my thirst is quelled...Intoxicate my spirits 'til I dive into your grace and in your depths find peace I've never known;until I drown in waters giving life, not death, until my spirit swims as one with yours - in peace...In the quiet of my prayer, Lord, bring me to waters of your gracewhere I might sip and taste, then deeply drink the sweetness of your cup...

In the stillness, Lord, calm my fears and I will dive into your depths:in over my head, my feet not touching bottom, lost in you and in your peace...

In your cool fresh living waters quench my thirst for you, O Lord,and in those waters let me find reflected the face of God who saves me...As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.My being thirsts for God, the living God.When can I go and see the face of God?

To ponder and pray over...

Am I afraid to find the God I seek?Do I sip God's presence when I might drink more deeply?What am I afraid I might lose of myself were I to dive into the waters of God's life and love?Would any other water taste as sweet?Would any other waters be more refreshing?Do I trust that God's desire is to quench my thirst for peace?

What will I ask of the Lord today? From this prayer time, what word or phrase will I keep with me to carry through the rest of my day?

(After you spend some time with these questions,

pray the reflection above one more time...)

Here are some tips for praying 10 minutes a day. If you find these daily prayer reminders helpful, please let me know - and share them with others. You'll find an archive of these daily posts here.

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WORD FOR THE WEEKEND 3/8

Click on the bible for this coming Sunday's readings and some notes to help you understand them.

A Blessing for Lent

Click above for a sung Lenten blessing

Lent 2015

For a pocket cross with this scripture verse, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to Concord Pastor, 55 Church Street, Concord, MA 01742

Music for Winter Prayer

(Click on the image for a prayer)

href="http://ekaterinasfluff.com/album/the-keys-of-e">The Keys of E by Ekaterina

A daily prayer

A song and prayer for Lent

I need a clean heart this Lent, Lord, so in these 40 days I pray you'll: sweep, dust, cleanse, mend, repair, forgive, purify and strengthen this heart of mine... And because I need a new spirit within me, Lord, I pray you'll: renew my listless spirit, lift up my drooping spirit, rekindle my burned-out spirit, open up my selfish spirit, refresh my failing spirit, energize my tired spirit, pardon my sinful spirit and put a right spirit within me, within this heart of mine...

Are you thinking about becoming a Catholic?

The best place to start is always one of your local Catholic churches. Drop in some Sunday and see what's going on. Then you might speak to the pastor or someone on the parish staff about how they can help you and respond to your questions.